The 13th special issue of Gastroenterology entitled “The Gut Microbiome: Reaching the Promise Through Discovery” features articles from renowned experts in the field who have been asked for their views on how emerging knowledge and discoveries of the gut microbiome will advance concepts, development of novel biotherapeutics, and best practices for digestive health and diseases. The gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microbes that are comprised of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms, which are collectively called the gut microbiome. Why have them, considering the potentially dire consequences of any entering the blood stream? As it turns out, we live in harmony with these microbes and they are of actual benefit to us, providing important cues for immunological, organismal and metabolic development to name a few. These actions require teamwork by many types of microbes that collectively form a “healthy” gut microbiome.

Ironically, defining what a healthy microbiome is among different human populations has been elusive and controversial. Many studies have shown that the gut microbiome can be affected by shifts in diet, lifestyle, antibiotics and environmental factors commonly associated with modern societies. These events and factors can promote skewing or imbalance of the gut microbiome affect host-microbe interactions to increase risk for disease, particularly those that are occurring with alarming frequency in the modern age like cancer, metabolic diseases, complex immune disorders, and aging and frailty. Can we leverage the knowledge gained by studies of the gut microbiome to develop new approaches to prevent and treat diseases and, at the same time, promote health and quality of life? We believe the answer is yes and that this is already happening. We are witnessing the dawn of a new age where microbiome-based interventions, biotherapeutics and best practices will become part of the clinical armamentarium of precision medicine.

For those interested in more, watch the below animation providing a summary of the content covered in the special issue. Many thanks to all of the experts who contributed articles to this special issue.

Read the special issue on the Gastroenterology website.